Since December 2007, the Study Group on Enforcement of the Law Concerning Electronic Signatures and Certification Services (Chair: Ph.D. TSUJII Shigeo, President of Institute of Information Security) has conducted a study on the operation of laws concerning electronic signatures and certification services, and it has recently finalized its report.
In the meantime, the Study Group invited public comment on the draft report from March 14 to 24, 2008 and received four comments.
1. Background
The Law Concerning Electronic Signatures and Certification Services (hereinafter, the "Law") was promulgated in May 2000 after deliberation at the 147th Diet session, and came into force on April 1, 2001.
Article 3 of the Supplementary Provisions of the Electronic Signatures Law stipulates that the status of enforcement of the Law should be examined when five years have passed since the enforcement. Since fiscal 2006, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications (MIC), the Ministry of Justice (MOJ), and the Ministry of Economy (METI) have conducted hearings with outside experts to identify issues in regard to the enforcement of the Law. The Study Group has primarily studied the issues identified: (1) measures to improve the safety of encryption technology used for electronic signatures; (2) confirmation of user authenticity in accredited certifications services; and (3) operation of the accreditation system of designated certifications services, and has recently finalized its report.
2. Future schedule
Considering the Study Group report, MIC, MOJ, and METI will promote measures required for smooth operation of the Law.
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http://www.soumu.go.jp/joho_tsusin/eng/contact.html
International Policy Division,
International Affairs Department
Telecommunications Bureau, MIC
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